The U.S. At War: Red-Tape Language

Latest organization in Washington is The Wafflebottom Club, so named because its businessmen members wait long hours on cane-seated chairs in Government anterooms. (World War I also saw waffle-bottoms.)

Other recent additions to the language, from the Washington scene: The "Milk Route" is the daily round of visits a businessman makes trying to get a defense order, to 0PM, SPAB, OPA, ODT, War, Navy, Treasury and Agriculture Departments. A "Torch Bearer" is a sympathetic Government subordinate who actually takes up a case and follows it through.

The Air Forces News Letter compiled a glossary of...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!